Romancing the Shelf
Books & Literature
About
Heidi and Emily are best friends who have been reading Nora Roberts' books for over twenty years. If you are a fan of action, suspense, and thrillers all wrapped up in a glorious romance then join in as they discuss all of Nora Roberts' romance novels. Be ready to laugh, sigh, and cringe as hundreds of book characters find their happy endings.
Episodes
- Nora Roberts' The Lost Brides Trilogy: The Seven Rings
We are continuing on with Nora's most recent trilogy and we have ...thoughts. The Mirror (2024) picks up right where The Inheritance left off, and we have SO MANY questions. But does this book have any answers? Come listen in, as we aren't…
- Nora Robert's The Lost Brides Trilogy: The Inheritance
How can it be that we have caught up to Nora's most recent trilogy?? We were very excited to jump into this one. Old mansions, dead brides, and Maine views? We are there! Listen in as we discuss the first in The Lost Brides Trilogy: The In…
- JD Robb: Imitation In Death
Eve has got her work cut out for her on this one with an arrogant, copycat serial killer and the only clue is a piece of stationary?? You may want to get out a notepad as we try to keep these suspects straight during this discussion of Imi…
- JD Robb: Portrait In Death
Are you ready for some Roarke lore?? We are! We are coming back to In Death, and Eve has A LOT going on. Having to manage the home front on top of solving murders is tough! Join us as we discuss Portrait In Death (2003).
- Nora Roberts: Hidden Nature
This book has one of our most...interesting Nora couples, and we aren't talking about our heroes! These villains are adding new levels to creepy, but our MC is on the case! We can't believe we've caught up to Nora's most recent standalone,…
- Nora Roberts: Mind Games
Over 200 books in, and Nora is still taking us by surprise! The tropes are new and the villain is unlike another, but it still has those Nora elements that we know and love. We can't believe it, but we are discussing Mind Games (2024)!
- Nora Roberts Movie Watch: Magic Moments & Sanctuary
If you've been sleeping on our movie watch episodes, PLEASE don't skip this one. We are discussing Nora's first two movie adaptations, and it was such a fun, crazy ride. Listen in as we break down the movies Magic Moments (1989) and Sanctu…
- Nora Roberts: Identity
We aren't going to bury the lead. Over four decades in, and Nora is BRINGING it with Identity (2024). We have a hardworking heroine, a grumpy leading man, and a truly scary serial killer. This is a new read for both of us, and we are ready…
- Nora Roberts: Nightwork
Harry, Booth, Silas, oh my! Nora is bringing us a new epic with a charming thief and a touch of fate. Are we sensing some 90s Nora vibes?! We are discussing Nightwork (2022)!
- Nora Roberts' Dragon Heart Legacy Trilogy: The Choice
Another trilogy coming to an end, and Nora went in a direction we weren't expecting! After all of these years, she can still surprise us. It is time to wrap things up with The Choice (2022)!
- Nora Roberts' Dragon Heart Legacy Trilogy: The Becoming
Continuing on with the Dragon Heart Trilogy! And...we have some big opinions on this one. Nora is expanding the world and upping the stakes. Listen in as we discuss The Becoming (2021)!
- Nora Roberts' Dragon Heart Legacy Trilogy: The Awakening
A new trilogy! This is a completely fresh read for Emily, and Heidi has only read the first one. Nora is bringing all the magic in this one: dragons, fairies, witches, and big bad grand-dad god. We are giving you all of our thoughts of The…
- JD Robb: Purity In Death
We have one more In Death for you before we head back to 2020s Nora, and this one even has Eve crying! Vigilantes are doling out "justice," and Eve is on the case (screw public opinion!). We are discussing Purity In Death (2002).
- JD Robb: Reunion In Death
We are back with another In Death! And...we may not see eye to eye with our girl Eve on everything in this one. *gasp!* Eve is bouncing around the country facing trauma and chasing a manipulative murderess, and Peabody is given a chance to…
- Nora Roberts Movie Watch: Carolina Moon & Midnight Bayou
Grab your popcorn! It's time for another Nora movie discussion. This time we have two southern thrillers: Carolina Moon and Midnight Bayou. How did Lifetime do adapting these great Nora books? We have thoughts!
- Nora Roberts: Legacy
A fitness empire heiress and a graphic novel author find love after loss in Legacy (2021)! And there's an obsessed stalker, an cute smalltown in Maryland, and adorable dogs. It's a new Nora with all the staples, and we have much to discuss.
- Nora Roberts: Hideaway
It's a new decade, and a brand new read for Emily! That is going to be the case for many books from here on, so if you love completely fresh takes then you'll love this season! This thriller has kidnapping, murders, a villainous mother, an…
- Nora Roberts: The 2010s!
Another decade is complete! Wow. There were some big Nora shifts in this decade, and we can't leave it behind without some reflection. Which books and characters were our favorites? Who was the scariest villain? What happened to side roman…
- Nora Roberts: Under Currents
The last book of the 2010s is a blend of small town feels and heart-pounding tension. Nora has us asking throughout...wait, who is our villain?! Listen in as we discuss Under Currents (2019).
- Nora Roberts: Shelter In Place
I think we can all agree, Patricia is SCARY! Also, Shelter In Place (2018) is not a romance. However, this book is a tense and thrilling suspense, and we are here for it.
- Nora Roberts' Chronicles of the One Trilogy: The Rise of Magicks
Nora has been taking us for an emotional ride, and now it's time for Fallon to save the ENTIRE world. No big. We are discussing the epic conclution of this trilogy: The Rise of Magicks (2019).
- Nora Roberts' Chronicles of the One Trilogy: Of Blood and Bone
Nora left us an emotional wreck after book one of this trilogy and has placed the weight of the world on baby Fallon's shoulders. Of Blood and Bone (2018) raises the stakes as our girl grows up and starts assembling the Dream Team. This is…
- Nora Roberts' Chronicles of the One Trilogy: Year One, Part 2
We had to leave you with a cliff hanger in our last episode, but we are here to finish up our discussion of Year One (2017)! Nora is throwing the playbook out the window with this trilogy, and we have big feelings!
- Nora Roberts' Chronicles of the One Trilogy: Year One, Part 1
You think that after almost four decades you know Nora? Well our queen is embarking into new territory with this trilogy. First up is Year One (2017), and we have so much to say that it had to be a two-parter!
- JD Robb: Seduction in Death
Ugh, what's worse than an entitled, bored, narcissistic rich boy? TWO entitled, rich, narcissistic boys. Eve has her hands full in this one with two killers, but thankfully she has the team (including Roarke behind her)! Listen as we try t…
- JD Robb: Betrayal in Death
We are excited to be back with Eve and Roarke! We are loving seeing their relationship (both personal and professional) grow. But, uh oh, Peabody and McNab are NOT okay. And have we mentioned the gruesome murders that need to be solved? Li…
- Nora Roberts Movie Watch: Angel's Fall and Blue Smoke
Grab your popcorn, it's time for a movie watch! Can Hollywood ever do a Nora book justice? Well we have some thoughts! Listen as we discuss the movie adaptations of Angel's Fall and Blue Smoke.
- Nora Roberts: Come Sundown
Well here we go.... For better or for worse, it is time for (in our opinion) Nora's darkest book. Definitely don't miss this discussion of Come Sundown (2017).
- Nora Roberts: The Obsession
After so many Nora thrillers, we have asked ourselves...what happens to the family after this?? In The Obsession (2016) Nora is giving us an answer. The trauma is real here, but so is the healing!
- Nora Roberts' The Guardians Trilogy: Island of Glass
This book has a lot of the hallmarks of a classic Nora fantasy series: magic, curses, and the age-old battle of good vs. evil all wrapped up in a beautiful Irish setting. Listen in as we discuss the epic conclusion to this series with Isla…
- Nora Roberts' The Guardians Trilogy: Bay of Sighs
She's sexy, she's kind, and she has a tail...sometimes. It's our first (and only) Nora mermaid love story! Bay of Sighs (2016) takes us to an even darker place, and we are here for it.
- Nora Roberts' The Guardians Trilogy: Stars of Fortune
Get excited, because we are starting a new trilogy that one of us has NEVER read. First up is Stars of Fortune (2015) with our reluctant seer Sasha and her street magic boyfriend. This trilogy has a lot of firsts, so listen in as we discus…
- JD Robb: Judgment In Death
We are back with In Death, and there is trouble in paradise! Eve has a mess on all sides in Judgment in Death (2000). Cops are dying, cops are dirty, cops (*cough* Webster *cough*) are hiding in her bushes, and Roarke isn't speaking to her…
- JD Robb: Witness in Death
Is this an In Death or Agatha Christie?? Witness In Death (2000) is scaling down the In Death universe to a more intimate mystery. It's a real whodunit and we loved it! Also, Eve and Roarke are super cute in this one. (Swoon.)
- Nora Roberts: The Liar
Can we really ever go home again? What about after our emotionally abusive husband is lost at sea and leaves us with a three year old and a mountain of debt? Welcome to The Liar (2015)! Shelby is trying to move on by moving back to her hom…
- Nora Roberts: The Collector
Time and maturity is giving us a newfound perspective on these 2010 Nora's! This is the last episode of Season 7, and we are ending it with murder, mystery, a moody artist, and a peeping Tom heroine. Listen as we talk The Collector (2014)!
- Nora Roberts' The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy: Blood Magick
Oh my, did we have opinions on this one! And we desparately want to know your thoughts too! It's the final book in this trilogy, so of course, it is time to take down the big bad Cabhan and resolve the second chance romance between Fin and…
- Nora Roberts' The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy: Shadow Spell
Who doesn't love a friends-to-lovers story?! But while reading this story, we started to have some déjà vu.... We are breaking it all down in this episode as we discuss Connor and Meara in Shadow Spell (2014).
- Nora Roberts' The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy: Dark Witch
Another witchy Nora trilogy! Our heroine Iona goes to Ireland ready to find where she belongs. This one has charming Irish cousins, grumpy/sunshine meets boss/employee, and a big bad evil! Come listen to us discuss The Dark Witch (2013)!
- Nora Roberts: Whiskey Beach
In part 2 of "Nora Roberts is our secret best friend," we are headed to Boston! Our hero is suspected of murder and needs a safe haven, but someone is breaking into the family mansion looking for treasure and the cleaning lady keeps forcin…
- Nora Roberts: The Witness
Our heroine is a woman of many names - Elizabeth, Liz, Abigail - but who is she really? Well, our hero Brooks really wants to find out! Is he pushy or just dedicated to his job and community? Is Liz/Abby frustrating or endearing? Also, whe…
- JD Robb: Loyalty In Death
Another In Death! And the stakes are HIGH in this one. Eve is taking on Cassandra - a greedy terrorist group with a delusional self-image as selfless vigilantes. Even with all that going on, what's really on our mind is...what's happening…
- JD Robb: Conspiracy In Death
We are back in the In Death universe! For one of us Conspiracy In Death (1999) is our favorite In Death so far, and for the other, it has our biggest heart flutter in the series! Don't miss this one!
- Nora Roberts' Inn Boonsboro Trilogy: The Perfect Hope
Another classic opposites attract story! Or is it?? We are wrapping up the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy with big brother Ryder and our girl Hope (aka, The Perfect Hope). And we also have a ghost mystery to solve. Don't miss it!
- Nora Roberts' Inn Boonsboro Trilogy: The Last Boyfriend
Ah, the friends to lovers trope. Is there any more adorably sweet? Owen was Avery's first boyfriend and now one of her best friends. Can they be something more? Listen in as discuss The Last Boyfriend (2012)!
- Nora Roberts' Inn Boonsboro Trilogy: The Next Always
We are so excited to be in THE trilogy - the guidebook for Nora-land - the Inn Boonsboro trilogy! We will be starting with Claire and Beckett in The Next Always (2011), where the line between a sweet unrequited crush and an obsessive stalk…
- Nora Roberts: Chasing Fire
Fire jumping, equipment tampering, murder, and co-worker romance - it's Chasing Fire (2011)! We had so much fun with this one! Plus, the heroine is a real baddie - in the best way.
- Nora Roberts: The Search
Can a girl just get some peace?? Poor Fiona needs to face, not just one, but two serial killers! Thankfully she finds a grumpy, carpenter boyfriend to help. We are loving the dogs and woodsy vibes in The Search (2010).
- Nora Roberts: The 2000s!
We have completed another Nora decade! The 2000s were so much fun, and we need to recap. Who were our favorite heroes and heroines? What were the big themes and changes through the decade? And, what are we looking forward to as we move int…
- Nora Roberts Movie Watch: High Noon and Tribute
We just couldn't help ourselves. The Nora movie adaptations were calling to us and we had to answer! We watched the Lifetime adaptations of High Noon and Tribute, and it is time to discuss. Also on the agenda, what makes a great book to mo…